For the past few months, I’ve been wearing shirts from Premiere Manche, Snaps, Brisk, Charles Tyrwhitt, and Bleu de Chaffe. Here’s everything you need to know about each brand.
Whether you’re wearing a t-shirt, tank top, or button-up, your shirt is an undeniably important part of your outfit. It’s why I always implore guys not to skimp out on tops. Don’t just buy whatever shirt is cheapest or whatever “just works.”
The more time and attention you give to shirt acquisition, the less time and attention you’ll give to everyday dressing. I’m all about creating a wardrobe that allows me to dress in the dark.
I’ve reviewed shirts from the following brands:
- Brisk Shirts
- Premiere Manche
- Snaps
- Charles Tyrwhitt
- Bleu de Chauffe
Do you know how some reviews on the internet are essentially first impressions? Well, I’ve been wearing these shirts for months. I’ve scrutinized every detail, from the look and fit to the material and stitching. And, of course, I’ll let you know just how modest-man-friendly each brand is.
My Build
I’m 5’7” and a half (easily 5’8″ and up in shoes) and 130 lbs at my fittest. Still, I’m generally a “skinny” guy. I have a 35” chest and wear XS tops. My waist is a size 28, which means I even have to get XS shirts tailored half the time. I figured knowing this could help you figure out how you might fit into these shirts.
Brisk Shirts
Brisk sent me the most shirts, so I’ll start with them. They’re a California-based clothing company with a mission to provide inclusive sizing. When ordering shirts from their website, they even ask you to specify sleeve length, shirt length, and whether or not you want a pocket.
Overall, I very much enjoy the designs they offer. The stitching isn’t 100% perfect (which is rare outside of bespoke, anyway), but it’s more than good enough. Considering these pseudo-custom shirts are under $100, I’d even say the construction punches far above its price point.
They use respectable materials like Egyptian cotton and polyester whenever something needs fortification. Between all that and the top-notch fit, Brisk offers an excellent value proposition, even for us smaller men.
White Pique Long-Sleeve Polo
I love the silhouette of this white pique long-sleeve polo. With the deep, buttoned collar, it looks like a dressier, lighter rugby shirt. Moreover, the English cutaway collar gives it a touch of elegance. It’s a great option for a casual outfit that’s classy and sporty. Essentially, it combines the best of old money aesthetic, preppy and English countryside styles.
It’s a super light weave and feels soft and comfortable against your skin. This makes it a good warm-weather shirt or a layering piece. I’ve always believed that taking a cut and shape from one season and rebuilding it for another is super clever. It allows you to wear your favorite styles all year long. In this case, this polo is shaped like a cool-weather top that you can wear in the spring and even summer.
The website mentions that they construct this shirt out of cotton and polyester; the latter material, I assume, is for durability.
As far as fit, the size small they sent me was perfect. The sleeves stop just past my wrist bone, and the collar lands in a structured but unstuffy way.
My only slight grievance is that the weave is so light that it’s almost see-through. Let’s just say that if I were a lady, this wouldn’t be the type of shirt I’d go braless in. Still, I understand that this construction makes the shirt so versatile.
The stitching is overall solid, though the fortified side hems stick out a bit. It contributes to the effortless look. However, I’m sure some people would be more okay with this than others. I didn’t love it initially, but I don’t think it’s distracting or detracts from the excellent silhouette.
Sky Blue Twill Shirt with Pink Contrast
When I requested the button-ups, I gave Brisk my collar size (14) and my desired fit (slim). They then requested my height, weight, and waist size. This is probably why this sky-blue twill button-down fits so darn well.
Like the long-sleeve polo, this shirt combines dressy elements with more casual ones. It can easily bring a suit combination down to earth or elevate a casual outfit.
The button-down collar and contrast interior are definitely less formal. If you don’t tuck the shirt in, pink accents peak out from the collar and the button placket hem. You can also fold or roll your sleeves up to expose the sleeve’s pink interior. It’s an effective spring or summer palette. However, you can wear this shirt all year long since you can choose not to expose the contrasting interior.
The 100% cotton twill is crisp and provides a classy, subtle sheen.
I noticed a small spot of discoloration on one of the sleeves, possibly caused by moisture during transit. It was mostly unnoticeable. However, I wasn’t able to get rid of it myself. Fortunately, I have a great dry cleaner.
Egyptian Sky Blue 80s Poplin Shirt
Like the sky blue twill shirt, this more formal Egyptian sky blue poplin shirt fits like a glove. I’m going to mention one more time how impressed I am with the prices of these shirts, considering how much you can customize them.
The brand also constructs them with 100% Egyptian cotton with a thread count in the ‘80s. This is really great, again, for the price of this shirt. It’s light, breathable, with a smooth and mildly glossy surface, which makes the blue hue extra vivid.
The contrast club collar with a pin and contrast French cuffs add a lot of character. It strikes a balance between vintage businessman and country club leisure.
I will say that getting the pin through the collar and cufflinks through the cuffs is difficult. You’ll either need help or extra dexterity and mirrors to do it. The collar pin eventually got easier to do (likely because the pin holes expanded), but the cuffs continued to be challenging.
Snaps Clothing
Texas-based Snaps Clothing focuses on bringing Western shirts into modern, everyday wear. Their shirts feature pearl snap buttons, which makes taking them on and off much easier compared to traditional dress-shirt buttons.
I find the buttons classy and functional. Snaps designed these shirts to reflect this balance: They’re almost like elevated, classy workwear. They’re well-made and offer cool designs that aren’t always hard-Western.
Will they work for us shorter gents? The body’s fit (XS) is perfect for me, but I definitely need to tailor the short sleeves. I could also keep them long and roll them, which I often prefer but isn’t always as versatile.
Landry Twill EZ Care Shirt
This modernized Western shirt is built with cotton and T400, offering athletic stretch and recovery. Already, I think that makes this design more conducive to everyday wear (it’s not just for the ranch). It looks heavier than it feels and features hidden button-downs underneath the collar to keep them in place, which is an excellent detail.
The Landry EZ Care short-sleeved shirt’s design is quite charming. Its dusty blue hue makes it wearable all year. The cool shade makes it perfect for colder seasons, while the dustiness is summer-appropriate. And if you look closely, there’s a subtle pattern that isn’t immediately obvious.
I received it in an XS, and the body fit perfectly. As mentioned, though, the sleeves jut out a bit. Still, this is pretty common for any brand.
Rambler EZ Care Shirt
This moisture-wicking Rambler EZ care shirt features polyester, which allows heat to pass through. Like the twill shirt, it looks heavier than it is and actually works well as a summer shirt. I’ve worn it underneath pullovers, with jeans or chinos (a traditional Western approach), and as a beach shirt.
It has more details than the twill version, which makes it more casual. However, I’ve found it quite versatile. Again, the sleeves need working with, whether you roll them or tailor them. Overall, though, this shirt fulfills all of the brand’s promises.
The brand most recently released the Tailgater collection. So, if you’re cheering on your favorite team and don’t want to sacrifice your style, give one of these shirts a try.
Premiere Manche
Paris-based Premiere Manche creates affordable structured shirts through efficient Eastern European manufacturing. According to the brand, they spent three years researching and testing factories before choosing their workshop.
I tried two size 14 shirts. Overall, Premiere Manche offers the most chic, European-esque aesthetic. If you love a sharp Italian loafer, you can find that same vibe in their shirts. They offer highly fashionable shapes, featuring a rigid Italian collar, hidden collar button-downs, and removable stays.
The only downside I experienced was that the sleeves on the dress shirt were too long for my taste. This is despite the fact that the website encourages you to size up if you aren’t sure. Again, this isn’t a deal breaker. I always have to (and opt to) tailor my sleeves anyway.
Red Striped Shirt
The fabric on this red striped shirt is quite soft and almost silky. After some research, I realized that its double-twisted cotton poplin fabric is often sold at far higher prices at department stores. Out of all of the shirts in this round-up, the fold wrinkles from shipping faded fastest on this shirt.
I’m not a big stripe person, but the red vertical lines on this shirt are so subtle. It almost looks like I’m just wearing an extra light pink from a distance. I wouldn’t be afraid to wear this shirt to my office, which requires very conservative suit-and-tie attire.
Premiere Manche really mastered a flattering shape here with a slightly cinched waist. This shape doesn’t disturb the clean lines but fits more comfortably and naturally.
My only complaint is that the sleeves are a touch too long for my taste. They aren’t offensively long. However, my watch couldn’t peek out of the left sleeve, and I’m all about showing off my watch.
Rust Colored Linen Shirt
I absolutely love this rust-colored linen shirt. It might be one of my favorites from this round-up. It’s the epitome of resort chic. Just look at that deep, impeccable rust color. I love my cream linens for summer and holidays, but bringing a fall color into a summer staple is genius.
First of all, it makes it unique without being weird. You can still wear it on a holiday in St. Bart’s. Additionally, you can wear it any time of the year. At least, from a visual perspective, you can (it’s too lightweight for winter, but you can always layer).
You can wear it with jeans, black trousers, beige linens, anything. It’s slightly fitted, but not so much that it takes away from the inherently casual look.
The excellent shoulder structure doesn’t compromise the shirt’s comfort. And again, the hidden collar buttons ensure you never look sloppy. If you have small shoulders, you might tend to avoid unstructured casual linens. This shirt is your answer.
Charles Tyrwhitt
I’ve been a long-time fan of Charles Tyrwhitt. Premiere Manche is for the chic, fashion-forward guy. Charles Tyrwhitt is for the elevated everyday guy who cares about how he looks (because he’s a grown man). I recommend this CT to guys going for a deal-closer business look or a gentleman-of-leisure aesthetic.
This British brand offers true classics and uses sustainably sourced materials. They even offer a six-month guarantee. When it comes to high-value menswear staples, Charles Tyrwhitt is genuinely one of the best on the market.
As with most brands on this list, CT dress shirts often need tailoring at the sleeves for shorter guys. You can also go for one of their custom-made shirts, which start competitively at less than $150.
New York Jets Button-Down Washed Oxford
I’ve worn several Charles Tyrwhitt dress shirts in the past, and again, I can’t recommend their value enough.However, I’ve never worn one of their more casual button-downs. During New York Fashion Week, CT sent me their New York Jets button-down Oxford check shirt. Its 100% cotton construction is strong and breathable and remarkably balances structure with coziness. You can definitely wear this shirt with a blazer, shorts, or even as a light piece of outerwear.
The brand designed this shirt in partnership with the New York Jets. Another cool thing that CT does that appeals to everyday guys is its undeniably cool sports partnerships.
The result is a line that features well-made, classic garments that allow men to express themselves in a classier way than a sports jersey would. The shirts from their partnership with England Rugby (of which I’m a massive fan) feature the English Rugby Rose on the chest. I use this as an example because even if you’re not a rugby or England fan, the rose is subtle and visually adds a touch of elegance.
Full disclosure: I’m not a Jets fan (my parents are from New England, so, sadly, I’m part of the Pats Nation). However, the way this shirt conveys the fandom is so sophisticated that anyone can wear it if they love the color — which I do.
The dark green plaid is vivid and versatile, accented by pops of green button stitching. Meanwhile, there’s a lapwing print on the neck and a small Jets logo on the chest.
Bleu de Chaffe Heavy Weight Champion T-Shirt
Since Bleu de Chaffe only sent me this one shirt, I can’t speak to the brand as a whole. However, if the Heavyweight Champion T-shirt is any indication, I’d definitely recommend them for their quality and fit. And that’s not too shabby for the sole t-shirt representative in this round-up.
The interlock construction provides a strong, soft, and incredibly sturdy shirt. I’ve very literally never worn a shirt this sturdy or this comfortable.
Even after several wears and washes, this shirt hasn’t shrunk, and its dense build hasn’t been compromised. Every single stitch looks fortified and solid, though it doesn’t interrupt the clean exterior look.
It’s also quite a stylish T-shirt—very James Dean or Marlon Brando. Density and structure aside, I love the thick, high collar and the patch at the bottom hem. They give the shirt a bit of a members-only feel.
I can’t think of a better shirt to use when you’re going for a T-shirt-and-suit combination.
Conclusion: The Right Shirt Brand for You
Are you looking for a range of attractive, respectably stitched, and affordable shirts? Check out some highly customizable Brisk Shirts. Meanwhile, Premiere Manche delivers fashion-forward, structured pieces with a European vibe.
Snaps Clothing’s Western shirts offer convenient and cool pearl snap buttons combined with modern designs and constructions. Charles Tyrwhitt democratizes style by making classic fashions less intimidating to everyday guys while also satisfying the fashion-forward.
And if you need a good T-shirt, the Bleu de Chaffe Champion is exceptionally built.
Questions? Comments?
